Siete Lagos

After some fun days in Bariloche I was ready for a bit of a challenge. One of the attractions in the area is the beautiful Siete Lagos (seven lakes) road from Bariloche (890m) up to San Martin de Los Andes (930m) via Villa la Angostura (850m) and there are numerous buses doing day trips up and back. It is about 400km in all but the roads are in very bad condition despite the continual governmental promises over the past 20 years to pave them. Talking to some of the bike shops in town it certainly seemed possible to bike the route but they were unsure about doing so without camping in between nights in the towns along the way. Obviously I knew better - and did not want to go to the hassle of taking a tent and sleeping bag along! A completely full and rather heavy backpack seemed a much better idea at the time…. Below is the photograph of the poster in the bike shop that I used as a map for my trip.

 

Bariloche to Villa la Angostura (80km)

A rather chilly start cycling under heavy clouds and busy roads along the shore of the lake – but at least this provided some real atmosphere to the scenery.

 

The road then left the lake to cut inland slightly and head up a very long and gently rising valley – not only was there little to see but it also almost perfectly hit the cold, strong wind head on. Hard work and not made any easier by constantly being passed by the day trip busses hooting gleefully at me in my misery. Finally the valley ended and road started to wind through the mountains again affording me a view, sun and protection from the wind for lunch.

 More twists, turns, ups and downs followed before getting to Villa la Angostura at about 15:30. This is a very nicely presented tourist town or at least as far as the main street goes, things aren’t quite so well cared for even a block either side of it. I was pretty tired, hungry and hot and had promised myself some food and a cold drink - but of course all kitchens were closed for a siesta. Eventually found a Panini and then got some very good ice cream for the short journey to the hostel – not the easiest when wheeling a bike as well – but delicious and refreshing. I was looking forward to an early night but I had failed to plan for the others in the hostel – all Argentinians and so music, chatting and cooking started at about 11pm and went on until 2am!